We first noticed people in Playa Blanca striding out with what looked like ski poles in their hands last year. Since then we have seen even more of them and they seem to becoming more popular all the time. At first, we were a bit sceptical as they looked like they were skiers without snow or hill climbers without hills! Most people seemed to be walking on the flat, particularly along the coastal path where we live. Then I noticed that many of the local shops sell these very lightweight walking sticks, which are adjustable and some even have a torch and a compass in the handle.

So when our Swedish friends arrived for a holiday with their ‘walking sticks’ carefully packed in their suitcases, we asked about them. They are, in fact, trekking poles and the activity is called Nordic Walking. It seems it originated in Finland but is just as popular in Sweden and throughout Scandinavia. I thought the idea was to use it like a walking stick and someone had suggested that it helped keep your knees healthy as the sticks forced you to walk differently. But the true story is that they give you a whole body workout because you stride out, putting the opposite arm and leg forwards. This ‘cross patterning’ gives you an upper body work-out. You are supposed to walk quite purposefully and swing your arms forward onto the poles.

So I investigated a little. Studies showed that they give increased cardio vascular activity and improve aerobic fitness. Now, I believe that I am the least sporty person on the planet. I am not a  read more »

22nd January 2012

What a fantastic, entertaining ninety minutes of football that was played in Arrecife on Sunday. Passing from both sides was exquisite, typical of Spain’s master class race of football.

The Rojillos fell behind seconds into the second half but a wonder header from Vladi and a penalty from Jotha moved Lanzarote to within three points off a playoff spot.

The Conejeros (locals) began the game the most dominant. Shots from Jotha and Ayoze were well saved by ex Lanzarote keeper Marino and in the 14^th minute Ayoze´s powerful drive came thundering off the crossbar.

As the half passed by Lanzarote´s opportunities became fewer as the Tenerife side demonstrated why they were serious contenders for a playoff spot. With four wins in the last five matches Atlético Granadilla were in sixth place and just two points from the playoffs.

The first half ended goalless as the visitors began to hold some possession and managed to weather the initial Rojillo storm.

Twenty four seconds into  read more »

Zumba Lanzarote are holding a Zumbathon charity event on Friday 10th February.

The hour and a half Zumbathon session will be held at the Hesperia Lanzarote Hotel in Puerto Calero. Tickets cost €7 with all proceeds going to a local Breast Cancer organisation in Lanzarote. This Zumba masterclass includes 25 Zumba songs with  read more »

The handcycling race Vuelta Playa Blanca will return to Lanzarote on Sunday 12th February for the third year. There are already 72 participants listed who are travelling from Europe and as far as the United States of America to take part in this race around the resort of Playa Blanca in the South of Lanzarote.

Everyone with a bike of any kind is invited to join in a ride called Concentración Ciclista de Lanzarote on Saturday 11th February. The cyclists will depart from Hotel H10 Timanfaya Palace and ride to Marina Rubicón. This is free to enter, children are welcome, under 13’s must be accompanied by an adult and 13-16 year olds with parental permission. The group will meet at 10.30 and depart at 11:00 with refreshments on arrival.

For a small  read more »

15th January 2012

With eight minutes left to play and in the middle of a storm the floodlights failed leaving the Ref no option but to suspend the match. Lanzarote offered to complete the remaining eight minutes the following morning but this offer was declined by the La Palma club. The Spanish Football Federation will now decide what will happen regarding those missing eight minutes.

The La Palma side had the better of the opening exchanges and deservedly went in front midway through the first half from a strike by centre forward Borja.

This set back seemed to be what was needed to get the Rojillos into gear. In the 28^th minute defender David Dorta powerfully headed towards goal only to see the ball glance back off the crossbar and away to safety. Four minutes later and Ayoze had a great chance to level matters but the goalkeeper produced a brilliant reflex save to maintain his side’s 1-0 advantage.

In the 36^th minute Lanzarote were awarded a penalty for a foul committed by defender Mutasi. Ayoze fired in the resulting spot kick only to see goalkeeper Heimann guess correctly and produce another inspired save which gave his side the one goal advantage to take into the break.

Lanzarote dominated possession in the opening stages of  read more »

Harry, the organiser from the Bishopstown Hillwalking Club trip to Lanzarote asked us if part of their week could include a “challenge” walk. He explained this is a walk of endurance, with lots of climbing and normally in adverse conditions when back at home in Cork. Carmen from Lanzarote Active club, who has scheduled a week of guided walks for the group contacted the Haría Trail Team a local walking / trail running club in the North of Lanzarote and between them they have organised the Desafío Irlandés / Irish Challenge.

The walk is this Saturday 21st January, it will be a distance of 25km and a total climb of 2,000m, walkers are expected to take 6-7 hours to complete. 

The start is  read more »

We will announce more information about each of these sporting events as they approach later in the year. We wanted to publish a list so that you can plan any holidays and mark the dates in your diary for these swimming, cycling and running events for 2012 in Lanzarote.

January

21st: International Lanzarote Duathlon (Club La Santa)

28th to 31st: 4 Stage Mountain Bike Lanzarote (Club La Santa)

February

4 and 5th: Enduroman 

11th & 12th: III Vuelta Playa Blanca (Handbike)

18th and 19th: Desafío Octava Isla (Cabildo Lanzarote)

March

17th:  read more »

8th January 2012

Ten man Rojillos let slip a two goal advantage with the visitor’s levelling the match in the 89^th minute. Nevertheless the Rojillos extend their unbeaten run to eight games but have slipped to mid table and are now five points from the play offs.

The Rojillos got off to a flying start dominating the opening stages. Javi Betancort came close in the eighth minute only to see his strike deflected away to safety.

In the 12^th minute the Rojillos took the lead from a corner with a header from David Dorta. His team mates were quick to congratulate the Tenerife defender after speculation that he was about to follow goalkeeper Santi Lampón and leave the club in the January transfer window.

The Gran Canarian side restored the balance of possession but it was the Conejeros (locals) who looked the more dangerous of the two sides. On the half hour and in the space of two minutes winger Toñito created two good opportunities for team mates Gustavo García and Ayoze but both were unable to complete the good work created from Toñito.

In the 38^th minute the course of the game began to favour the yellow and blues of Las Palmas when Sixto was harshly awarded his second yellow card of the day and the Rojillos were forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.

Two minutes before half time and Lanzarote had a marvellous opportunity to double their lead. A deadly cross from the by-line across the six yard box by Ayoze found defender Ángel Gil on the far post but somehow from three yards the defender missed the target and only managed to fire his shot into the side netting with the goalkeeper caught in no man’s land.

It was hard to notice that the Rojillos were a man short as  read more »